Pneumatic cleaner



Aug. 4, 1936. J. A. DIETENBERGER 2,049,603

PNEUMATIC CLEANER Filed Nov. 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig. 1. f

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PNEUMATIC CLEANER Filed Nov. 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 't-t-o rnzga Aug. 4, 1936- J. A. DIETENBERGER 2,049,603

PNEUMATIC CLEANER Filed Nov. 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /////////II/I///I// .9 Diztgberses'r L Inna enter t tornzsa Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES 2.049.603. rnaumrrc CLEANER Joseph A. Dietenberger, Cleveland, .Ohio, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Elcctrolux Corporation, Dover, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application November 29, 1929, Serial No. 410,404

' 9 Claims.

This invention relates to electric vacuum cleaners and has for itsobjects: the provision of an inexpensive compact and simple device of this nature which shall be capable of easy manufacture and made and assembled cheaply, with a minimum of expensive parts, which shall afford a high suction, and be readily emptied and cleaned; the provision of a cleaner which will either blow or suck through the nozzle opening thus enabling lint and dust to be removed from cracks and'crevices from which suction alone is unable to dislodge it; the provision of simple and self-contained arrangements whereby the device can be changed from auction to blowing and vice versa instantaneously; the provision of a tank or can type of cleaner having the hose as well as all other working parts carried by the cover to facilitate manufacture and manipulation; the provision of a new and improved construction and arrangement of parts; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application I have shown certain simple and practical forms in which my inventive idea can be embodied, although it will be understood that my inventive idea could be utilized in many other forms and that these drawings are intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting upon me. Fig. 1 isa vertical sectional view through one embodiment of my invention corresponding to the line l--l of Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view'corresponding to the curved line 2-2 of Fig. 4; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cleaner shown at Fig. 1 drawn to smaller scale and omitting a part of the hose; Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal sectional views corresponding to the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 1 but drawn to smaller scale; Figs. 6 and '7 are horizontal sectional views through the valve illustrated in Fig. 2, showing the same in suction and blowing positions, respectively; Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view corresponding to the line 8-8 of Fig. 3; Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of casing-top and hose-connection; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the modified form of cleaner shown in Fig. 9, illustrating the same in use. Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the reversing valve used with this modification; Fig. 12 is a vertical section corresponding to the line l2--l2 01' Fig. 11; and Figs. 13 and 14 are sectional views corresponding to the lines i3-l3 of Fig. 12 but showing the reverse valve in different positions.

6 receiving the rim 2 and also suitable packing 1. Depending from the bottom face of the plate 5 is a wall 8 defining a fan-chamber 9. This wall is preferably not circular but shaped somewhat like a spiral as shown in Fig. 4, its portion ill of greatest radius defining the outer wall of a peripheral outlet-neck I l. Formed adjacent to the fan-chamber 9 is a valve-chamber l2 as shown in Figs. 2, 4, 6, and 7. This chamber defines a surface of revolution perpendicular to the plane of the plate 5. The outlet-passage H opens into one side of this valve-chamber by way of the port l3. Between this port and the wall 8 of the fan-chamber is a second port l4 which opens into the angular space l5 defined between the wall 8 and the adjacent wall of the outlet neck. on the opposite side of the valve-chamber from the port I3 is the port l6 from which leads the passageway ll slanting upwardly through the cover 5 and terminating in a nipple l8 to which is attached the suction hose Hi. This nipple is preferably caused to project parallel with the top of the plate 5 and tangentially to its edge to facilitate thecoiling of the hose on the covertop when not in use; and the better to dispose of this hose the cover is provided with a plurality of pivoted clips 28 arranged at suitable distances about the same and adapted when erected to form posts to hold this ho'se in place, or upon the removal of the hose to be folded-downwardly out of the way as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. The cover is secured to the receptacle by any suitable clips or fasteners 29 and is itself provided with a handle 49, accessible as well with as without the presence of the hose, whereby the cleaner can be carried about.

In the present embodiment the bottom face of Secured to the face of the plate 22 opposite the wall 8 is a metal casing 26 constituting another fan-chamber 26 concentric with the fan-chamber 6 and having a flat bottom face 21 formed with a central inlet opening 28. 4 Secured to and depending from the plate 21 is a spider III to which is secured the electric-motor indicated generally at 2!; and carried by the opposite or lower end of said motor is a spider 82 terminating in a circular ring a of substantially equal diameter to the rim 24, and extending near to'but out of contact with the bottom of the casing I. The ring 22 constitutes a support and spreader for the dust-filter 36, which consists of a bag of cloth, paper, or similar pervious material, having at its upper edge a hem 66 in which is received a coil-spring 81, rubber-band, or other constricting device which holds the open end of the bag tightly on the rim 24.

The motor-shaft 68 passes freely through the openings 28 and 23 and is provided inside each of the fan-chambers with a suitable fan of centrifugal type, preferably comprising a plurality of radial blades 86 carried by a flat circular disk 46 fastened to the motor-shaft, and having secured to their opposite edges a centrally apertured plate fan and if the apertures 23 and 28 are surrounded by annular flanges 42 and 48, respectively, projecting into the apertures of the plates 4|, 4|, the fans are rendered very eflicient. Besides, the two-stage arrangement produces a very powerful. action capable of working through a long hose.

Formed in the top-plate 6 is an opening 44 communicating with the space IS. The bottom end of the valve-chamber I2 is closed by a flat wall 46 which is formed with an aperture 46 in line with the ports l8 and i6 and adjacent to the port l6; also with an aperture 41 located inwardly of the aperture 46. Aperture 46 opens into the annular space outside of the filter-screen (see Fig. 5) and communicates with an elbow 48 which serves to direct the entering air currents in a horizontal tangential direction. The aperture" opens inside the fllter-screen as shown in Fig. 5.

Located in the valve-chamber I2 is a rotatable valve comprising a flat circular plate 56 fitting in the bottom of the chamber, a vertical diametral partition 5| traversing the chamber, and a circular top 52 overlying the chamber and provided with a handle 63 whereby the valve may be turned. Preferably the top 52 is formed at each side of this handle with an aperture 54 closed by a transparent plate .66 to constitute an inspectionwindow, whereby the passage of the dust is rendered visible. In addition the plate 50 is formed at one point with an aperture 66 adapted, wh

the partition 5| stands cross-wise of the outlet neck, as 2,3, and 6, to register with the opening 46rwiththeparts in this position, air can enter by way of the hose l6, passage port l6, apertures 66 and 46 and nipple 46 into the annular space surrounding the filter IS. The air passing through this filter, after traversing the fans in series, escapes by the passageway ll, ports l3 and I4, and aperture 44 in the top plate. This top plate is provided with suitable indicia as indicated at 61 in Fig. 3 to establish the positions of the valve. If the user desires to cause the air to issue from the hose in the form of a blast, the valve is merely turned at right angles as shown in Fig. 7 to locate the partition 6| parallel to the neck ii and to cause the aperture .66 to register with aperture 41, whereupon This makes what is known as a "shrouded the air issuing from the outlet ll passes directly to the conduit l'l, while the air necessary to the supply of the fans enters by way of aperture, port l4, and aperture 41 into the interior of the filter-cell which is free from dust so that a clean 5 blast is always obtained.

In Figs.- 9 to 14 inclusive I have shown a diiferent arrangement whereby the construction of the casing is simplified and the reversing-valve carried directly by the cleaning-tool. In this form of the invention the top I of the casing is provided with two hose-nipples, one I! communicating as before with the outlet-neck ll of the pump by way of'an inclined passage H. The other nipple 86 communicates with the elbow 48 which, as before, opens into the dust-chamber. These two nipples are located preferably closely "adjacent to and parallel with each other and from 7 them lead two flexible hoses l6 and 6i. When these nipples are located one above the other and 20 tangent to the rim of the cover it facilitates coiling them in place when not in use.

The cleaning tool in this embodiment comprises a valve-casing 62, formed as a surface of revolution, having a hollow hand-grip 62 projecting from 25 one side and communicating therewith by way of the port l4, and a tool connection 64 projecting iromthe opposite side, also hollow and opening into the valve-casing by way of a port l6. The bottom of this valve-chamber'is closed by a flat 30 wall 46 which'is formed with two nipples, 65 and 66, to which are attached the ends of the hose l6- and 6|, respectively. These nipples open into the valve-chamber through ports I! and 46 respec-' tiveiy.

Rotatabiy mounted in the valve-chamber is a valve-member comprising a vertical diametral partition 6 I traversing the chamber and a circular top 62' overlying its upper end and knurled or otherwise fashioned to facilitate its rotation by hand. Said top is, as before, formed at each side of the partition with an aperture 54- closed by a transparent plate to constitute an inspectionwindow. Detachably secured to the connection 64 is the hollow shank 61 of a cleaning tool which may be of any length, size, or character.

In the operation of the device air is constantly blown outwardly through the'hose l9 and drawn inwardly through the hose 6|. When the valve stands in theposition illustrated in Fig. 13 the blast issuing from the port ll passes through the connection 64 and into the tool, while the suction acting through therport 46- draws air inwardly through the hollow handle 63. When the valve is turned to the position shown in Fig. 14 the suction-port t6 is connected to the tool nipple and the blast-port ii to the handle 63. Under all conditions the pressure in the litter-chamber and adjacent to the joint between cover and receptacle is sub-atmospheric, so that no tendency 60 exists for any escape of dust even though this joint should not be tight or the fastenings should 1 give way.

I have illustrated different forms of my invention to indicate that my improvements can be 65 embodied in diiIerent specific apparatus, and a great many other changes in details, arrangements, and construction can be made without departing from my inventive idea, for which reason I do not iimit'myself to the constructions herein shown and described excepting as the same are specifically recited in my several claims which I desire may be construed-broadly. each independently of limitations contained in other claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In an electric vacuum cleaner, in combination, a receptacle, a cover carried thereby, motor driven suction producing means mounted on said cover, a dust filter carried by said cover inside said receptacle and spaced from the walls thereof, said suction-producing means having its inlet communicating with the interior of said filter and its outlet opening through said cover, said cover also having a'suction inlet opening into the space between said filter and the receptacle wall, a hose,-

andvalve means for connecting said hose to either said inlet opening or said outlet opening selectively.

2. A pneumatic cleaner comprising, in combination, a receptacle having a cover, a pumping device and a dust-filter carried by said cover, said pumping device having an inlet and an outlet, and said dust filter communicating with the inlet of said pumping device, a cleaning tool, a. flexible hose from said cover to said tool, connections caring, a pump having its inlet communicating with ried by said cover communicating with the outlet of said pumping device and with the space outside s'aid. dust-filter, and valve means carried by said cover for establishing communication between said hose and either of said connections selectively.

3. A pneumatic cleaner comprising, in combination, a hollow casing having stifi walls, a filter cell enclosing a part of the space inside said casthe interior of said filter cell, motor operated means for driving said pump located in said cell, a conduit leading from the pump-out1et,a conduit communicating with the space inside said casing which is outside said filter cell, a cleaning tool, a flexible hose having one end connected to said tool and the other endto said casing, and valve means carried by said casing whereby said hose can be placed in communication with one or the other of said conduits selectively.

.4. A pneumatic cleaner comprising, in combination, a hollow casing having stifi walls, a filter cell enclosing a part of the space inside said casing, a pump having its inlet communicating with the interior of said filter cell, motor operated means for driving said pump located in said cell, a conduit leading from the pump-outlet, a conduit communicating with the space inside said casing which is outside said filter cell, a valve casing to which said conduits are connected, a cleaning tool connected to said valve casing, and a valve mem her in said casing having ports adapted in one position to connect said tool to one conduit selectively and connect the other conduit to the open air, and in a second position to connect said tool to said other conduit and connect said one conduit to the open air. 5. YA pneumatic cleaner comprising, in combination, a hollow casing having stifi walls, a pump carried by one wall and having a circular rim and a supporting bracket, a motor carried by said bracket to one side of said pump and rim, a ring carried by said motor in spaced relation with respect to said rim, and a bag of flexible pervious material surrounding said motor and drawn over said ring and having its mouth constricted around said rim, the space between said-bag and-the outer wall of said casing constituting a dust chamber.

6. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright cylindrical dust receptacle having a horizontal, circular cover and a suction hose, a suction pump operatively connected to said hose and receptacle, and a plurality of spaced upright posts carried by said cover adjacentto its margin adapted to have said suction hose coiled insidethem.

7. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright cylindrical dust receptacle having a horizontal, circular cover and a suction hose, a suction pump operatively connected to said hose and receptacle,

and a plurality of spaced clips pivoted to said cover at intervals near its margin adapted when raised to constitute posts to retain the hose in place when coiled upon said cover.

8. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright cylindrical dust receptacle, a suction hose concoil of hose on top of said receptacle surrounding said handle without interfering therewith.

JOSEPH A. DIETENBERGER. 

